Keeping It Simple: Minimalist Dining Rooms

The word "minimalist" usually conjures up images of sleek "no fuss" modern rooms with sharp angles and minimal adornment. But a minimalist dining room could also be one that simply lacks many of the case pieces that were once staples in the traditional dining room set: the sideboard and/or buffet and some kind of china cabinet or hutch. A minimalist dining room may simply contain a table and chairs and maybe a simple shelf to show of a handful of vases or decorative accessories.

But these days, many of us can't or don't want to display china patterns or formal barware and decanters (items traditionally inherited or acquired via a wedding registry). With more kitchen storage space and more informal dining habits, the sideboards and buffets of yesterday are often omitted. And, in some cases of course, it is just a matter of space or budget.

What do you have in your dining room? Where (if anywhere) do you store your "nice" plates or glasses?